Props Can Be A Yogi’s Best Friend. {Interview}
Photo: Dave Mathews
This article is sponsored by Mama Kuka.
Rebelle Society is excited to introduce a series of inspiring and informative dialogues, featuring different creative businesses and entrepreneurs who are successfully combining their passion and talents with their work and service, in order to mutually acknowledge and support like-minded individuals and ignite each other’s creativity.
Join us today as we take a closer look at yoga props and the YogaSphere™.
Mamaste: Hi Holly, and welcome to Rebelle Society. What exactly is the YogaSphere?
Holly: Hi, thanks for having me. YogaSpheres are a new take on the yoga strap. As a teacher, I found the design of the traditional, linear yoga straps limiting when it comes to how we practice yoga today. Because of the time it takes to explain and adjust a standard yoga strap, I was reluctant to use this prop for anything other than restorative classes. The grabbing of the strap, in most poses, leaves the hands and arms out of alignment and doesn’t allow for true mobility. It stands to reason, that just as natural binds create circles in the body, the strap should be circular. I began using homemade circular straps in a variety of sizes at the studio I teach at in North Carolina. And just like that, the YogaSphere was born.
Mamaste: How did you see a need for these in your practice and teaching?
Holly: In my practice, I hardly ever grabbed a regular strap to use because it took to long to adjust. By the time I got it where I needed it the pose was over! Once I started working with circular straps it changed the way I practiced and taught yoga. The difference is quite profound. Using the circular system, every pose is not only within reach, but with proper alignment, security, and stability. From an instructor’s perspective, there is no buckle adjustment so I was able to teach flowing Vinyasa without pausing class to work with the regular strap. As I move from pose to pose, the YogaSphere system allows students to bridge a gap in their bind, find their feet in a fold, reach for a single toe, and more, all with the ease of selecting the right sphere. Because it is not intrusive and requires no adjustment, I found that students are more apt to use them.
Mamaste: How can someone get deeper into their practice by using YogaSpheres?
Holly: Of course, yoga straps in general are used to help practitioners with limited flexibility or mobility gain access to or find depth in poses. However, the grabbing and pulling motion used with belt straps can be counterproductive to alignment. Because YogaSpheres are circular, the hands, wrists, and forearms are in a natural position for most yoga poses. The spheres also allow for full shoulder rotation in poses that require behind the head movements like King Dancer. A unique feature of the system is its ability to accommodate all yogis – beginners to advanced. As the yoga student progresses in their postures they use progressively smaller spheres until the natural bind is achieved.
Photo: Dave Mathews
Mamaste: You are a yoga teacher and you also work in medical equipment sales. Did your day job contribute to the launch of YogaSpheres?
Holly: Ha! It financially contributed. Working in the hospital and surgical environment really gave me perspective on why yoga, meditation and mindfulness need to be part of the medical prescription for patients and caregivers. It’s refreshing to see that many hospitals are including gentle yoga and guided meditation for hospital bound patients specifically in the areas of cancer, neurology, and trauma. In a sense, seeing the need on a day-to-day basis confirms my commitment as a teacher and business owner to find ways to make yoga accessible to all people whether that is through classes or props.
Mamaste: YogaSpheres are less than two years old. Why do you think this particular product has so much success?
Holly: The product really sells itself. It’s amazing to see the I-get-it-look on a teacher’s or student’s face when they find a pose using the YogaSphere. I receive messages on a daily basis with words like, “I finally understand what it means to flip my grip,” “I started with the green YogaSphere and now I’m using yellow!” and “I’ve never been able to do this pose until now!” Word-of-mouth testimonials of the product have been incredible and I am humbled by the feedback.
Photo: Dave Mathews
Mamaste: My students just love when I pull them out for class. Can you give us a few tips on how to use them?
Holly: There are many ways to use them (and my customers are constantly teaching me about new ways they are incorporating them into their practice). The most obvious use is to bridge any gap with a YogaSphere in poses where the hands need to join or meet the toe — forward fold, side angle with bind, Gomukhasana arms, etc. Secondly, they can be used for alignment or shoulder stability in plank/forearm balance by using the large YogaSphere around the triceps. YogaSpheres are also excellent for refining and working on alignment in any poses. Even in a pose like Triangle, a YogaSphere can be used between the forward toe and bottom hand to create traction to lift against. My favorite way to use the YogaSphere system is during flow classes. When each student has a set, you can move through vinyasa practice and have the student pick spheres as needed to gracefully move from pose to pose. There are a ton of ideas on my website.
Mamaste: Where can we find them?
Holly: I have two options for ordering — direct from my website or from OpenSky.
Mamaste: Thanks, Holly, for helping all of us realize that everything is within reach.
Holly: You’re welcome! Speaking of everything is within reach, I’d like to highlight the fantastic organization that are supported through the sale of YogaSpheres. Giving back is a huge part of my mission at Mama Kuka. At checkout, my customers are prompted to choose from one of three great organizations for me to give a portion of my proceeds too. These include Newark Yoga Movement, Home of Hope — India, and Gentle Barn. These three organizations work tirelessly to take care of kids and animals. Each quarter I tally the votes up, send donations, and do my happy dance!
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Holly Bennett is a Yoga Teacher, Healthcare Consultant, Globetrotter, and Entrepreneur. In 2013, she launched her company, Mama Kuka, and brought the YogaSphere™ Strapping System to the yoga community. In her spare time, you’ll find her seeking adventure and traveling the world with her husband and two daughters.
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